"Then I prefer a stage victory." Bauke Mollema didn't have to think much when he was asked to choose between improving his place on GC or winning a stage in the Tour de France.

"But I want to stay in the top 10," the Trek leader who is 9th overall, told NOS. "I will not do crazy things. I won't attack on the flats but if the start is uphill and there is a large group I hope to be there.

Mollema hopes to kill two birds with one stone. "Hopefully I can ride to victory and gain minutes for the GC."